"Burnt leave" problem over for civil servants

PUTRAJAYA: Starting Jan 1 this year, the government has decided that leave exceeding the allowed accumulated leave up to 50 days (Cuti Gantian Rehat) can be applied as leave during the retirement year, meaning the problem of "cuti hangus" (burnt leave) is now practically over.
The Public Service Department (JPA) in a statement today said the matter was stated via Service Circular No 2 Year 2017.
According to JPA, the maximum accumulated leave allowed for a civil servant remains at 150 days and is paid in lieu as cash as per Service Circular No 18 2008.
JPA in the statement said those eligible to use the balance of accumulated leave above 150 days as leave during the retirement year are permanent and pensionable officers and officers under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) going on compulsory retirement.
Application to utilise accumulated leave above 150 days as leave can be made 12 months from the date of retirement with the approval of the head of department, said JPA.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had announced the approval to recognise accumulated leave above 150 days as leave on retirement when tabling Budget 2018 in appreciation of the contributions of civil servants. – Bernama